Nebraska may seem like an unlikely target for terrorists, but state emergency-management personnel plan on being prepared, just in case.

This year’s state terrorism exercise, TERREX ’09, is scheduled for Nov. 18 and 20 in Lincoln, Scottsbluff and Grand Island and will test interoperable communications, four of the state’s HAZMAT teams, the Paraclete and the Joint Information Center (JIC).

Sponsored by Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), TERREX ’09 is the state’s annual exercise of emergency response plans, policies and procedures as they pertain to a terrorist incident. It will test the state’s response to a hazardous materials event as well as communications between NEMA and the various participating local jurisdictions.

“TERREX ’09 will help NEMA and the local jurisdictions test how different radio systems can communicate with each other via Paraclete, our communications interoperability management system,” said Bob Eastwood, NEMA communications coordinator.

Exercise participants from the Red Willow Rural, Hastings and Grand Island fire departments and county emergency managers in Scotts Bluff, Hall, Adams and Red Willow counties will connect radio systems that normally would not be able to communicate with one another, Eastwood said. Paraclete gives emergency operation centers, police, fire fighters and emergency medical system staff in different jurisdictions the ability to communicate with one another using their own communication systems.

“NEMA recognizes its responsibility to protect the public from, and mitigate the consequences of, the hazards associated with acts of terrorism,” said Al Berndt, assistant director of NEMA. “The level of commitment that Nebraska’s state agencies and local responders bring to a Homeland Security exercise and emergency response demonstrate their dedication to readiness. We are truly ahead of the curve, and we train hard to remain prepared.”

Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy, Nebraska’s director of homeland security, will lead the executive group responsible for policy decisions during the exercise. TERREX ’09 will involve six state agencies and four local jurisdictions. The exercise on Nov. 18 will kick off with the Lt. Governor’s opening remarks at 9 a.m. and should conclude around 2 p.m.

Courtesy: Nebraska Emergency Management Agency news release